Television viewers of May’s Eurovision Song Contest will be able to express their opinions of the songs by bathing Stockholm in bright colours, thanks to lighting control technology from Osram. The Munich-based lighting specialist will light up seven landmarks in the Swedish capital – and countless living rooms around the world – during the semifinals and finals of the song contest, with the colour of the lights reflecting each song’s appeal to viewers.

During this year’s Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), viewers all over the world will be able to use the free LIGHTIFY@Eurovision app (available in the App Store and Play Store) and the Osram Eurovision website to award one point to 12 points to each song during the first minute of its performance. Stockholm landmarks including the dome of the event venue, Globe Arena (pictured), the City Hall Tower and the television tower will become indicators of the audience’s feelings. Osram Lightify will generate a wave of blue light for a song that fails to win favour, while a song that inspires the masses – and gets an average of 12 points – will turn the landmarks bright red.

Additionally, people who have already installed Lightify, Osram’s smart lighting system, with multicoloured LED lamps in their homes will be able to immerse their rooms in the colours that reflect their own vote.

These ratings will be carried out independently of the telephone voting process that affects the determination of the winner of the ESC.

Some of the lit monuments and buildings will be able to be seen on a live stream, and viewers can also keep track of the audience’s ratings by using live feedback offered by the app. The service will add even more excitement to the contest.

The first semi-final will be held on Tuesday 10 May, and the second on Thursday 12 May. The finals will be held on Saturday 14 May.